2nd December 2012

.....and still so much to do. Yesterday was the Christmas Fayre at school so had to send a few hours back at work. The little ones were so sweet waiting in line to see Santa who had taken time out of his busy schedule to visit for a couple of hours.
Today I'm trying to come up with some ideas for homemade presents. I'll let you know how I get on.

In the crowd

During the afternoons this week the sound of children singing has been coming from the various classrooms along the corridors and as I sit working my office. From the facilities office and workshop accross the way there has been banging and drilling as Kev makes mangers and other props. I love this time of year.

Next week they will start to take turns in the hall to practice their words and songs ready for the few days that parents, grandparents and friends come in to watch their little one perform in the Christmas plays.
We are a big primary school so there are always several plays, all slightly different but all telling the same story about how Jesus was born in a stable.

It's seems such a long time ago that my own children were in their school nativity. I remember my joy when my eldest son was chosen to be Joseph when he was four. I sat in the front row with my mum beaming with pride that day. Sadly she died only a couple of years later and that was the last one she was able to attend.

A few years later he was a shepherd and as he sat on the row at the front he keep lifting his tunic and showing his shorts below to the audience. He couldn't get over the fact his outfit was a 'dress'. I thought the teachers would let him wear trousers underneath but no it had to be shorts.

I've spent time making the costumes cursing the teachers who wanted sheep or kings outfits to be sent in when I was busy working full time. Now I see you can go to the supermarket and purchase them ! I am not sure what's best, those hurriedly made by parents and grandparents or those from Asda or Sainsbury's.

There are always children who struggle with school work or who are very shy, who suddenly on the day of the Christmas play come to the front and shine. I never cease to be amazed that the tiny 4 & 5 year olds that have only been at school a couple of months will stand up and say something in front of a few hundred people or sing and act.

All the children know that if they have a problem they can come to me and this week Ruby turned up at the door sobbing. When I eventually got her to speak her only words were 'In the crowd'. On speaking to her teacher I discovered that this year Ruby is to be one of several children who are in the crowd scene. Yes she does have a small speaking part but Ruby is struggling to understand why last year she was a main character and this year she isn't.
I think we got the message through to her that it's someone else's turn this year and everyone in the play is important when telling a story.On the day her smiling face and loud singing will still steal the hearts of  the audience as always wherever in the crowd she is.

We have children of all religions at my school but Christmas really is magical for all of them and of course the adults.

If you are going to see a Christmas Nativity play at a children's school just remember there has been weeks of rehearsals, teachers and teaching assistants painting scenery, caretakers making props, parents putting together costumes and helping to learn lines and lots of little darlings having their first taste of acting.

The van has arrived....

.....unlike Margo and Jerry's.

The shopping is all done the house all clean and ready. A few presents still to wrap, the family don't arrive until tomorrow but apart from that we are ready. As you can see Harley is already waiting in his favourite chair for the festivities to begin. he has at least tree presents under the tree just for him.
So have a Happy Christmas what ever you are planning to do. 

Here's a link to a fun website where you can track Santa as he flies around the world and play some games.

http://www.noradsanta.org/en/index.html

Rosie xx

Recycling the Christmas Cards

I never buy gift tags. Why on earth would I spend money on something that is so simple to make and doesn't cost me a penny and just ends up in the recycling bin on Christmas Day anyway? So here are just a few of the tags for this years pressies made from last years Christmas cards.

Twas just one week 'til Christmas

We have very busy recently completing all the orders we've received on ebay so they get there before Christmas. The cards and mugs have been really popular and in the New Year we are adding lots more things. So there's plently to keep us busy. Poor Andy hardly has time for drawing and painting at the moment. He still has one commission to finish before tomorrow so it it can be given as a present.

Also the local galleries have been phoning because they have also sold several of his prints so on Tuesday we are off to stock them up with more.

All the homemade gifts went down well with my friends at work, which was a relief. I finally found a few minutes to decorate the tree yesterday and put on the homemade baubles.

I love candlelight and the nuts and sweets are looking good in the two glass dishes I purchased last week at a boot fair in the village for 50p for the two. the Spode candlestick was purchased at a previous bootfair for £1 and the East of India Christmas tree was £2 at the school Christmas Fayre last year. I love a bargain don't you?

7th December

There are some films I watch every Christmas. Like the Scrabble, Cluedo and Monopoly we get out and play over the festivities. Do you do that or is it just me? Here are the ones I always watch. It's difficult to choose a favourite but National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation and The Christmas Card always give me the feel good factor. To quote Eddie in Christmas Vacation 'It's the gift that keeps on giving'.

6th December

I have absolutely no idea what to buy or make people for Christmas this year. Other years I have been busy for weeks and already have things hidden away waiting for the big day. 

What's going on with me this year?

I'm off with hubby to my favourite city for shopping at the weekend with the hope of coming back with it all done and dusted.

5th December

For the past 20 years or more I have bought my Christmas cards from Charity Shops. My favourites are

Cancer Research 

Leukemia  Research

British Heart Foundation

4th December

We have started a new business selling my talented OH's work.
Have a look at George Morgan Illustrations ebay shop for T shirts, mugs, cards, posters.

More items are being added daily. 

3rd December

For something to keep you amused over Christmas time click on this link 

2nd December

December 1st

Post Christmas

 So how was your Christmas? Good I hope!

We still have snow outside although not as much as we had on Christmas Day. 

We snuggled up inside and had a relaxing time eating drinking and playing board games. In fact it was so relaxing we all struggled to stay awake most of the time. Nobody fancied going out for a walk as we had all been so busy leading up until the big day and welcomed the chance to not to go out anywhere. 

I received some gorgeous gifts form my family. They included three sets of earrings from Pia. 

Years ago I used to receive a Liberty mug every Christmas but that was a long time ago.  It was a lovely surprise on Christmas morning to receive this lovely 2011 mug from OH. 

With New Year just around the corner I am trying to decide whether to make some new resolutions or not. I don't bother normally but for some reason I think I need to set some targets for 2011 as this last year has passed by without any major achievements. Maybe I need to set things out and go for something this next year. 

'Twas the night before Christmas....

and in my house lots of things were stirring.... family, friends and all the hullabaloo of Christmas Eve.

I bought the candlestick at a Boot Fair for £1.00. The fat fairy is an old purchase and Christmas wouldn't be the same with her looking on.

I have a big collection of vintage glass candlesticks. I just cant resist buying them when I see them in Charity shops.

This little lady was my latest purchase. I bought her when I was in Bath a few weeks ago from the shop aptly named 25th Dec. The East Of India tree another bargain, only £2.00.

It's lovely to look out and see snow on the ground.  

Have a very Merry Christmas everyone,
Love Rosie xxxxxxxxx

Christmas List.

This was taken from Josie-Mary

1. Hot Chocolate or apple cider?
Hot Chocolate with whipped cream on top.

2. Turkey or Ham?
Neither I'm a vegetarian

3. Do you get a fake or real-you-cut-it-yourself Christmas tree?
Always a real tree. I've never had a fake and never want one.

4. Decorations on the outside of your house?
I used to have them outside but not for the last few years.

5. Snowball fights or sleddin’?
Both I'm just a big kid.

6. Do you enjoy going downtown shopping?
I love Christmas shopping.

7. Favourite Christmas song?
Oh so many but I suppose.



8. How do you feel about Christmas movies?
I love them and will watch them whenever I can especially Nation Lampoon Christmas Vacation
it always makes me laugh. 'It's the gift that keeps on giving'



9. When is it too early to start listening to Christmas music?
I don't like to hear them between January and September.

10. Stockings before or after presents?
Before please.

11. Go to someone else’s house or they come to you?
Always to me.

12. Do you read the Christmas Story? If so when?
Not every year but some years I have read to to the children at school and my own.

13. What do you do after presents and dinner?
Go for a walk and then Scrabble, Cluedo a movie and then sleep.

14. What is your favourite holiday smell?
Cinnamon, oranges and mulled wine.

15. Ice skating or walking around the mall?
Walking.

16. Do you open a present or presents on Christmas Eve, or wait until Christmas day?
All on Christmas Day

17. Favourite Christmas memory?
Going to visit my grandparents when I was very small.
They lived in an old house out in the country. I remember it was a very frosty morning.
Also my boys getting up at some unearthly
hour when they were small desperate to see what Santa had left them. The sounds of them
shreeking with laughter was priceless.


18. Favourite Part about winter?
Apart from Christmas I love getting out my huge scarf and hat collection and wearing
something different everyday.

19. Ever been kissed under mistletoe?
Do you know I don't think I have. Hold on we have some mistletoe in the hall that I've just
brought home..... Yes I have.





Have a go yourself.

. Hot Chocolate or apple cider?
2. Turkey or Ham?
3. Do you get a fake or real-you-cut-it-yourself Christmas tree?
4. Decorations on the outside of your house?
5. Snowball fights or sleddin’?
6. Do you enjoy going downtown shopping?
7. Favorite Christmas song?
8. How do you feel about Christmas movies?
9. When is it too early to start listening to Christmas music?
10. Stockings before or after presents?
11. Go to someone else’s house or they come to you?
12. Do you read the Christmas Story? If so when?
13. What do you do after presents and dinner?
14. What is your favorite holiday smell?
15. Ice skating or walking around the mall?
16. Do you open a present or presents on Christmas Eve, or wait until Christmas day?
17. Favorite Christmas memory?
18. Favorite Part about winter?
19. Ever been kissed under mistletoe?